EX-4.9 27 dex49.htm INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit 4.9

 

Execution Copy

 


 

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

dated as of October 4, 2005

 

among

 

BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.,

 

the other Pledgors from time to time party hereto,

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as initial Credit Agreement Agent,

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,

as Trustee under the Indenture

 

and

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,

as Collateral Agent

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS; PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION

   2

SECTION 1.1

  

Defined Terms

   2

SECTION 1.2

  

Rules of Interpretation

   15

ARTICLE 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

   16

SECTION 2.1

  

Representations and Warranties of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent

   16

SECTION 2.2

  

Representations and Warranties of the Collateral Agent

   16

ARTICLE 3. THE COLLATERAL

   16

SECTION 3.1

  

Priority of Liens

   16

SECTION 3.2

  

Restrictions on Enforcement of Parity Liens

   16

SECTION 3.3

  

Waiver of Right of Marshalling

   18

SECTION 3.4

  

Discretion in Enforcement of Priority Liens

   19

SECTION 3.5

  

Discretion in Enforcement of Priority Lien Obligations

   19

SECTION 3.6

  

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings

   20

SECTION 3.7

  

Collateral Shared Equally and Ratably within Class

   21

SECTION 3.8

  

Actions to Perfect Security Interests

   21

SECTION 3.9

  

Amendment of Security Documents

   21

ARTICLE 4. INTERCREDITOR RELATIONS

   22

SECTION 4.1

  

Application of Proceeds in Distributions by the Priority Lien Collateral Agent

   22

SECTION 4.2

  

Application of Proceeds in Distributions by the Collateral Agent

   24

SECTION 4.3

  

Additional Secured Debt

   24

ARTICLE 5. OBLIGATIONS ENFORCEABLE BY THE BORROWER AND THE OTHER PLEDGORS

   25

SECTION 5.1

  

Release of Liens on Collateral

   25

SECTION 5.2

  

[Intentionally Omitted]

   26

SECTION 5.3

  

Collateral Agent not Required to Serve, File or Record

   26

SECTION 5.4

  

Release of Liens in Respect of Notes

   26

ARTICLE 6. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

   27

SECTION 6.1

  

Amendment of this Agreement

   27

SECTION 6.2

  

Voting

   27

SECTION 6.3

  

Further Assurances

   27

SECTION 6.4

  

Bailee for Perfection

   28

SECTION 6.5

  

Delivery of Collateral and Proceeds of Collateral

   28

SECTION 6.6

  

Relative Rights. Nothing in the Note Documents will:

   28

SECTION 6.7

  

Successors and Assigns

   29

SECTION 6.8

  

Delay and Waiver

   29

SECTION 6.9

  

Notices

   29

SECTION 6.10

  

Notice Following Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations

   31

SECTION 6.11

  

Entire Agreement

   31

SECTION 6.12

  

Severability

   31

 

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SECTION 6.13

  

Headings

   31

SECTION 6.14

  

Obligations Secured

   31

SECTION 6.15

  

Governing Law

   31

SECTION 6.16

  

Consent to Jurisdiction

   31

SECTION 6.17

  

Waiver of Jury Trial

   32

SECTION 6.18

  

Counterparts

   32

SECTION 6.19

  

Effectiveness

   32

SECTION 6.20

  

Additional Pledgors

   32

SECTION 6.21

  

Continuing Nature of this Agreement

   33

SECTION 6.22

  

Insolvency

   33

SECTION 6.23

  

Rights and Immunities of Secured Debt Representatives

   33

EXHIBIT A – Form of Intercreditor Agreement Joinder

    

 

ii


This Intercreditor Agreement (this Agreement) is dated as of October 4, 2005 and is by and among Brookstone Company, Inc., a New Hampshire corporation (the Borrower), the other Pledgors from time to time party hereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Credit Agreement Agent (as defined below), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee (as defined below), Bank of America, N.A., as initial Credit Agreement Agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Collateral Agent).

 

RECITALS

 

The Borrower intends to enter into a Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Borrower, the other Pledgors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto.

 

The Borrower and the other Pledgors also intend to enter into the Priority Lien Security Documents pursuant to which the Priority Lien Collateral Agent will be granted a first priority security interest in the Collateral.

 

The Borrower intends to issue 12.00% Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2012 (including any related exchange notes, the Notes) in an aggregate principal amount of $185,000,000 pursuant to an Indenture dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the Indenture) among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Trustee).

 

The Borrower and the other Pledgors also intend to enter into the Security Documents pursuant to which the Collateral Agent will be granted a second priority security interest in the Collateral, which security interest is subordinate to the security interest of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent.

 

The Borrower and the other Pledgors intend to secure the Obligations under the Credit Agreement and any future Priority Lien Debt on a priority basis and, subject to such priority, intend to secure the Obligations under the Indenture and any future Parity Lien Debt, with Liens on all present and future Collateral to the extent that such Liens have been provided for in the applicable Security Documents, and desire to enter into this Agreement to confirm their relative rights with respect to the Collateral as provided in this Agreement.

 

Capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to them above or in Article 1 below.


AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS; PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

SECTION 1.1 Defined Terms. The following terms will have the following meanings:

 

“Act of Required Debtholders” means, (i) for so long as the Credit Agreement is outstanding, an act of the Credit Agreement Agent and (ii) as to any matter at any time thereafter:

 

(1) prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, a direction in writing delivered to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent by or with the written consent of the holders of more than 50% of the sum of:

 

(a) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Priority Lien Debt (including outstanding letters of credit whether or not then available or drawn); and

 

(b) other than in connection with the exercise of remedies, the aggregate unfunded commitments to extend credit which, when funded, would constitute Priority Lien Debt; and

 

(2) at any time after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, a direction in writing delivered to the Collateral Agent by or with the written consent of the holders of Parity Lien Debt representing the Required Parity Lien Debtholders.

 

For purposes of this definition, (a) Secured Debt registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower will be deemed not to be outstanding and (b) votes will be determined in accordance with Section 6.2.

 

“Additional Secured Debt” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

 

Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Board of Directorsmeans:

 

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board; and

 

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(2) with respect to any other Person, the functional equivalent of a board of directors of a corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf thereof.

 

Borrower has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capital Stockmeans:

 

(1) in the case of a corporation or unlimited company, corporate stock;

 

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

 

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person,

 

but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

 

Classmeans (1) in the case of Parity Lien Debt, every Series of Parity Lien Debt, taken together, and (2) in the case of Priority Lien Debt, every Series of Priority Lien Debt, taken together.

 

“Collateral” means all properties and assets at any time owned or acquired by the Borrower or any of the other Pledgors, except:

 

(1) Excluded Assets;

 

(2) any properties and assets in which the Collateral Agent is required to release its Liens pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.4 and

 

(3) any properties and assets that no longer secure the Notes or any Obligations in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.4

 

provided that, in the case of clauses (2) and (3), if such Liens are required to be released as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition of any properties or assets of the Borrower or any

 

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other Pledgor, such assets or properties will cease to be excluded from the Collateral if the Borrower or any other Pledgor thereafter acquires or reacquires such assets or properties.

 

Collateral Agent means Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Security Documents, together with its successors in such capacity.

 

Credit Agreement means that certain credit agreement dated on or about the date hereof, by and among Holdings, the Borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. and the lenders from time to time party thereto, together with any agreements relating to the provision of cash and treasury management services and other bank products provided by a lender thereunder or an affiliate thereof and any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement Agent means, at any time, the Person serving at such time as the “Agent” or “Administrative Agent” or “Collateral Agent” under the Credit Agreement or any other representative then most recently designated in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement, together with its successors in such capacity.

 

Credit Facilitiesmeans one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Discharge of Priority Lien Obligationsmeans the occurrence of all of the following:

 

(1) termination or expiration of all commitments to extend credit that would constitute Priority Lien Debt;

 

(2) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest and premium (if any) on all Priority Lien Debt (other than any undrawn letters of credit);

 

(3) discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (A) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (B) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of liens under the terms of the applicable Priority Lien Document) of all outstanding letters of credit constituting Priority Lien Debt; and

 

(4) payment in full in cash of all other Priority Lien Obligations that are outstanding and unpaid at the time the Priority Lien Debt is paid in full in cash (other than any obligations for taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made at such time).

 

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equally and ratablymeans, in reference to sharing of Liens or proceeds thereof as between holders of Secured Obligations within the same Class, that such Liens or proceeds:

 

(1) will be allocated and distributed first to the Secured Debt Representative for each outstanding Series of Secured Debt within that Class, for the account of the holders of such Series of Secured Debt, ratably in proportion to the principal of, and interest and premium (if any) and reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) with respect to letters of credit, if any, outstanding (whether or not drawings have been made under such letters of credit) on each outstanding Series of Secured Debt within that Class when the allocation or distribution is made, and thereafter

 

(2) will be allocated and distributed (if any remain after payment in full of all of the principal of, and interest and premium (if any) and reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) with respect to letters of credit, if any, outstanding (whether or not drawings have been made on such letters of credit) on all outstanding Secured Obligations within that Class) to the Secured Debt Representative for each outstanding Series of Secured Obligations within that Class, for the account of the holders of any remaining Secured Obligations within that Class, ratably in proportion to the aggregate unpaid amount of such remaining Secured Obligations within that Class due and demanded (with written notice to the applicable Secured Debt Representative, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent) prior to the date such distribution is made.

 

“Excluded Assets” means each of the following:

 

(1) any permit, lease, license, contract, instrument or other agreement held by the Borrower or any other Pledgor that prohibits or requires the consent of any Person as a condition to the creation by the Borrower or such other Pledgor of a security interest or Lien thereon or that would be breached or give the other party the right to terminate it as a result thereof, or any permit, lease, license contract or other agreement held by the Borrower or any other Pledgor to the extent that any law applicable thereto prohibits the creation of a security interest or Lien thereon or that would be breached or give the other party the right to terminate is as a result thereof, but only, in each case to the extent, and for so long as, such prohibition is not terminated or rendered unenforceable or otherwise deemed ineffective by the UCC (including Sections 9-406(a), 9-407(a), 9-408(a) and 9-409 of the UCC) or any other law, and (ii) equipment owned by the Borrower or any other Pledgor that is subject to a purchase money Lien or a capital lease which is permitted by the Indenture if the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or in the documentation providing for such capital lease) prohibits or requires the consent of any Person as a condition to the creation of any other Lien on such equipment or that would be breached or give the other party the right to terminate is as a result thereof provided, however, “Excluded Assets” shall not include any Proceeds, substitutions or replacements of Excluded Assets (unless such Proceeds, substitutions or replacements would constitute replacements of Excluded Assets);

 

(2) any interest of Borrower or any other Pledgor in any real property;

 

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(3) all “securities” of Borrower or any of Borrower’s “affiliates” (as the terms “securities” and “affiliates” are used in Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act); and

 

(4) any other property or assets in which a Lien cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the relevant jurisdiction, so long as the aggregate Fair Market Value of all such property and assets does not at any one time exceed $10.0 million.

 

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Borrower.

 

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession which are in effect from time to time.

 

Guaranteemeans a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner, including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement condition or otherwise).

 

“Guarantors” means Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

“Holdings” means Brookstone, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person under swap, cap, collar, forward purchase or similar agreements or arrangements dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, either generally or under specific contingencies.

 

Indebtednessmeans, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

 

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

 

(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

 

(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;

 

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;

 

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(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed, except any such balance that represents an accrued expense or trade payable;

 

(6) representing any Hedging Obligations, or

 

(7) all monetary obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary arising out of any cash management, depositary or investment services provided by any Priority Lien Collateral Agent or its Affiliates.

 

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit, Hedging Obligations and obligations referred to in clause (7) above) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person), but only to the extent that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the Fair Market Value of the asset, and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person. In no event will obligations or liabilities in respect of any Capital Stock constitute Indebtedness hereunder.

 

Indenture has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedingmeans:

 

(1) any case commenced by or against the Borrower or any other Pledgor under Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Borrower or any other Pledgor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Borrower or any other Pledgor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Borrower or any other Pledgor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

 

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Borrower or any other Pledgor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

 

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Borrower or any other Pledgor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

 

Intercreditor Agreement Joinder means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

Lienmeans, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, hypothec or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded, registered or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale

 

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or other title retention agreement; provided that in no event shall an operating lease that is not a Capital Lease Obligations be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmationmeans:

 

(1) as to any Series of Parity Lien Debt, the written agreement of the holders of such Series of Parity Lien Debt, as set forth in the indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Parity Lien Debt, for the enforceable benefit of all holders of each existing and future Series of Priority Lien Debt, each existing and future Priority Lien Representative and each existing and future holder of Permitted Prior Liens:

 

(a) that all Parity Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Parity Liens at any time granted by the Borrower or any other Pledgor to secure any Obligations in respect of such Series of Parity Lien Debt, whether or not upon property otherwise constituting collateral for such Series of Parity Lien Debt, and that all such Parity Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of all holders of Parity Lien Obligations equally and ratably;

 

(b) that the holders of Obligations in respect of such Series of Parity Lien Debt are bound by the provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions relating to the ranking of Parity Liens and the order of application of proceeds from the enforcement of Parity Liens; and

 

(c) consenting to and directing the Collateral Agent to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Security Documents; and

 

(2) as to any Series of Priority Lien Debt, the written agreement of the holders of such Series of Priority Lien Debt, as set forth in the credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Priority Lien Debt, for the enforceable benefit of all holders of each existing and future Series of Parity Lien Debt, each existing and future Parity Lien Representative and each existing and future holder of Permitted Prior Liens:

 

(a) that all Priority Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Priority Liens at any time granted by the Borrower or any other Pledgor to secure any Obligations in respect of such Series of Priority Lien Debt, whether or not upon property otherwise constituting collateral for such Series of Priority Lien Debt, and that all such Priority Liens will be enforceable by the Priority Lien Collateral Agent for the benefit of all holders of Priority Lien Obligations equally and ratably;

 

(b) that the holders of Obligations in respect of such Series of Priority Lien Debt are bound by the provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions relating to the ranking of Priority Liens and the order of application of proceeds from enforcement of Priority Liens; and

 

(c) consenting to and directing the Priority Lien Collateral Agent to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other security documents.

 

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Notes has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Note Documents means the Indenture, the Notes and the Security Documents.

 

Obligationsmeans any principal (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit whether or not drawn), interest (including, to the extent legally permitted, all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the Secured Debt Documents, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding), premium (if any), fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, expenses and other liabilities payable under the applicable Secured Debt Documents.

 

Officers’ Certificatemeans a certificate with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Agreement, signed on behalf of the Borrower by two officers of the Borrower, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Borrower, including:

 

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate are based;

 

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

 

Parity Lienmeans a Lien granted by a Security Document to the Collateral Agent, at any time, upon any property of the Borrower or any other Pledgor to secure Parity Lien Obligations.

 

Parity Lien Debtmeans:

 

(1) the Notes issued on the date hereof (including any related exchange notes); and

 

(2) any other Indebtedness (including additional Notes) that is secured equally and ratably with the Notes by a Parity Lien that was permitted to be incurred and so secured under each applicable Secured Debt Document;

 

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provided, that in the case of any Indebtedness referred to in clause (2) of this definition, that:

 

(a) on or before the date on which such Indebtedness is incurred by the Borrower or by a Restricted Subsidiary (as defined under the Indenture) of the Borrower, such Indebtedness is designated by the Borrower, in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to each Parity Lien Representative, the Collateral Agent and the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, as “Parity Lien Debt” for the purposes of the Indenture and this Agreement; provided, that no Series of Secured Debt may be designated as both Parity Lien Debt and Priority Lien Debt;

 

(b) such Indebtedness is governed by an indenture, credit agreement or other agreement that includes a Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation; and

 

(c) all requirements set forth in this Agreement as to the confirmation, grant or perfection of the Collateral Agent’s Lien to secure such Indebtedness or Obligations in respect thereof are satisfied (and the satisfaction of such requirements and the other provisions of this clause (c) will be conclusively established if the Borrower delivers to the Collateral Agent and the Priority Lien Collateral Agent an Officers’ Certificate stating that such requirements and other provisions have been satisfied and that such Indebtedness is “Parity Lien Debt”).

 

Parity Lien Documentsmeans, collectively, the Note Documents and the indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing each other Series of Parity Lien Debt and the Security Documents.

 

Parity Lien Obligationsmeans Parity Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect thereof.

 

Parity Lien Representativemeans:

 

(1) in the case of the Notes, the Trustee; or

 

(2) in the case of any other Series of Parity Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Parity Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of Parity Lien Debt and (A) is appointed as a Parity Lien Representative (for purposes related to the administration of the Security Documents) pursuant to the indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Parity Lien Debt, together with its successors in such capacity, and (B) that has executed an Intercreditor Agreement Joinder.

 

Permitted Prior Liensmeans:

 

(1) Liens described in clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” under the Indenture;

 

(2) Liens described in clauses (4), (5), (7), (8), (17), (18), (19), (22), (23), (24), (25) and (27) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” under the Indenture;

 

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(3) Liens described in clause (13) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” under the Indenture to the extent the Lien securing the Indebtedness being refinanced constituted a Permitted Prior Lien under clause (1) or (2) of this definition; and

 

(4) Permitted Liens (as defined in the Indenture) that arise by operation of law and are not voluntarily granted, to the extent entitled by law to priority over the Liens created by the Priority Lien Security Documents or the Security Documents.

 

Personmeans any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, unlimited company or government or other entity.

 

Pledgorsmeans Holdings, the Borrower, the Guarantors and any other Person (if any) that at any time provides collateral security for any Secured Obligations.

 

Priority Lienmeans a Lien granted by a Priority Lien Security Document to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, at any time, upon any property of the Borrower or any other Pledgor to secure Priority Lien Obligations.

 

“Priority Lien Cap” means, as of any date, the principal amount outstanding under the Credit Agreement and/or the Indebtedness outstanding under any other Credit Facility, in an aggregate principal amount (including face amounts of letters of credit) not to exceed the sum of the amount provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt (as defined in Section 1.01 of the Indenture), as of any date, plus the amount provided by clauses (13) and (14) of the definition of Permitted Debt (as defined in Section 1.01 of the Indenture), less the amount of Parity Lien Debt incurred after the date of the Indenture the net proceeds of which are used to repay Priority Lien Debt and such repayment results in a corresponding permanent reduction in commitments under such Priority Lien Debt. For purposes of this definition, all letters of credit will be valued at the face amount thereof, whether or not drawn, and all Hedging Obligations will be valued at zero.

 

Priority Lien Collateral Agent means Credit Agreement Agent until such time as the Credit Agreement is no longer outstanding; thereafter it shall mean such person as shall be appointed collateral agent under the Priority Lien Security Documents, together with its successors in such capacity.

 

Priority Lien Debtmeans:

 

(1) Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement that was permitted to be incurred and secured under each applicable Secured Debt Document (or as to which the lenders under the Credit Agreement obtained an Officers’ Certificate at the time of incurrence to the effect that such Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred and secured by all applicable Secured Debt Documents);

 

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(2) Indebtedness under any other Credit Facility that is secured equally and ratably with the Credit Agreement by a Priority Lien that was permitted to be incurred and so secured under each applicable Secured Debt Document; provided, in the case of any Indebtedness referred to in this clause (2), that:

 

(a) on or before the date on which such Indebtedness is incurred by the Borrower such Indebtedness is designated by the Borrower, in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to each Priority Lien Representative, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent, as “Priority Lien Debt” for the purposes of the Secured Debt Documents; provided, that no Series of Secured Debt may be designated as both Parity Lien Debt and Priority Lien Debt;

 

(b) such Indebtedness is governed by a credit agreement or other agreement that includes a Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation; and

 

(c) all requirements set forth in this Agreement as to the confirmation, grant or perfection of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent’s Lien to secure such Indebtedness or Obligations in respect thereof are satisfied (and the satisfaction of such requirements and the other provisions of this clause (c) will be conclusively established if the Borrower delivers to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent an Officers’ Certificate stating that such requirements and other provisions have been satisfied and that such Indebtedness is “Priority Lien Debt”); and

 

(3) Hedging Obligations incurred to hedge or manage interest rate risk with respect to Priority Lien Debt; provided, that:

 

(a) such Hedging Obligations are secured by a Priority Lien on all of the assets and properties that secure Indebtedness under the Credit Facility in respect of which such Hedging Obligations are incurred; and

 

(b) such Priority Lien is senior to or on a parity with the Priority Liens securing Indebtedness under the Credit Facility in respect of which such Hedging Obligations are incurred.

 

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the sum of (1) Indebtedness constituting principal outstanding under the Priority Lien Documents; plus (2) the aggregate face amount of any letters of credit issued but not reimbursed under the Priority Lien Documents, is in excess of Priority Lien Cap, then only that portion of such Indebtedness and such aggregate face amount of letters of credit equal to the Priority Lien Cap shall be included in Priority Lien Obligations and interest with respect to such Indebtedness and reimbursement obligations with respect to such letters of credit shall only constitute Priority Lien Obligations to the extent related to Indebtedness and face amounts of letters of credit included in the Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Priority Lien Documentsmeans the Credit Agreement and any other Credit Facility pursuant to which any Priority Lien Debt is incurred and the Priority Lien Security Documents.

 

Priority Lien Obligationsmeans the Priority Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect of Priority Lien Debt.

 

Priority Lien Representativemeans the Credit Agreement Agent so long as the Credit Agreement is outstanding and thereafter, in the case of any other Series of Priority Lien Debt, the

 

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trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Priority Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of Priority Lien Debt and is appointed as a representative of the Priority Lien Debt (for purposes related to the administration of the Priority Lien Security Documents) pursuant to the credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Priority Lien Debt, and who has executed an Intercreditor Agreement Joinder.

 

“Priority Lien Security Documents” means this Agreement, each Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation, and all security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Pledgor creating (or purporting to create) a Priority Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms.

 

Required Parity Lien Debtholders means, at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the sum of:

 

(a) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Parity Lien Debt (including outstanding letters of credit whether or not then available or drawn); and

 

(b) other than in connection with the exercise of remedies, the aggregate unfunded commitments to extend credit which, when funded, would constitute Parity Lien Debt.

 

For purposes of this definition, (a) Parity Lien Debt registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower will be deemed not to be outstanding, and (b) votes will be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.2.

 

Secured Debtmeans Parity Lien Debt and Priority Lien Debt.

 

Secured Debt Default means any event or condition which, under the terms of any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement governing any Series of Secured Debt causes, or permits holders of Secured Debt outstanding thereunder (with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, and whether or not notice has been given or time has lapsed) to cause, the Secured Debt outstanding thereunder to become immediately due and payable.

 

Secured Debt Documentsmeans the Parity Lien Documents and the Priority Lien Documents.

 

Secured Debt Representativemeans each Parity Lien Representative and each Priority Lien Representative.

 

Secured Obligationsmeans Parity Lien Obligations and Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Secured Parties means the holders of Secured Obligations and the Secured Debt Representatives.

 

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Security Documentsmeans this Agreement, each Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation, and all security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, deeds of trust or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Pledgor creating (or purporting to create) a Parity Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms and Section 3.9.

 

Series of Parity Lien Debtmeans, severally, the Notes and each other issue or series of Parity Lien Debt for which a single transfer register is maintained.

 

Series of Priority Lien Debtmeans, severally, Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement and any other Credit Facility that constitutes Priority Lien Debt.

 

“Series of Secured Debtmeans, severally, each Series of Priority Lien Debt and each Series of Parity Lien Debt.

 

“Special Interest” means (i) “Special Interest” as defined in the registration rights agreement with respect to the Notes issued on the date hereof and (ii) “Special Interest”, “Additional Interest”, “Liquidated Damages” or any similar term as such term is defined in any registration rights agreement with respect to additional notes issued after the date hereof.

 

Subsidiarymeans, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1) any corporation, company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Borrower that executes a Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the indenture and its successors and assigns, until such Subsidiary is released from its Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

 

Trustee has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York or any other applicable jurisdiction.

 

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SECTION 1.2 Rules of Interpretation.

 

(a) All terms used in this Agreement that are defined in Article 9 of the UCC and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

(b) Unless otherwise indicated, any reference to any agreement or instrument will be deemed to include a reference to that agreement or instrument as assigned, amended, supplemented, amended and restated, or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time or replaced in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c) The use in this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents or Priority Lien Security Documents of the word “include” or “including,” when following any general statement, term or matter, will not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not nonlimiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but will be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.”

 

(d) References to “Sections,” “clauses,” “recitals” and the “preamble” will be to Sections, clauses, recitals and the preamble, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. References to “Articles” will be to Articles of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. References to “Exhibits” and “Schedules” will be to Exhibits and Schedules, respectively, to this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided.

 

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any references contained herein to any section, clause, paragraph, definition or other provision of the Indenture (including any definition contained therein) shall be deemed to be a reference to such section, clause, paragraph, definition or other provision as in effect on the date of this Agreement; provided, that any reference to any such section, clause, paragraph or other provision shall refer to such section, clause, paragraph or other provision of the Indenture (including any definition contained therein) as amended or modified from time to time if such amendment or modification has been (1) made in accordance with the Indenture and (2) prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, approved in a writing delivered to the Trustee, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent by, or on behalf of, the requisite holders of Priority Lien Obligations as are needed (if any) under the terms of the applicable Priority Lien Documents to approve such amendment or modification.

 

(f) This Agreement, the Security Documents and the Priority Lien Security Documents will be construed without regard to the identity of the party who drafted it and as though the parties participated equally in drafting it. Consequently, each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that any rule of construction that a document is to be construed against the drafting party will not be applicable to this Agreement or the other Security Documents or Priority Lien Security Documents.

 

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ARTICLE 2.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

SECTION 2.1 Representations and Warranties of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent.

 

The Priority Lien Collateral Agent represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees on behalf of itself and the holders of Priority Lien Obligations that (1) it is authorized to enter into this Agreement on behalf of itself and such holders, (2) it has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to execute and deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and (3) this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, enforceable against the Priority Lien Collateral Agent in accordance with its terms.

 

SECTION 2.2 Representations and Warranties of the Collateral Agent.

 

The Collateral Agent represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees on behalf of itself and the holders of Parity Lien Obligations that (1) it is authorized to enter into this Agreement on behalf of itself and such holders, (2) it has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to execute and deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and (3) this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Collateral Agent, enforceable against the Collateral Agent in accordance with its terms.

 

ARTICLE 3. THE COLLATERAL

 

SECTION 3.1 Priority of Liens. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein or in any of the other Security Documents or Priority Lien Security Documents, it is the intent of the parties that:

 

(1) the grant of Priority Liens pursuant to the Priority Lien Security Documents and the grant of Parity Liens pursuant to the Security Documents, respectively, create two separate and distinct Liens: the Priority Liens securing the payment and performance of the Priority Lien Obligations and the Parity Liens securing the payment and performance of the Parity Lien Obligations, respectively; and

 

(2) the Parity Liens securing the Parity Lien Obligations are subject and subordinate to the Priority Liens securing the Priority Lien Obligations.

 

SECTION 3.2 Restrictions on Enforcement of Parity Liens.

 

(a) Until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Priority Lien Representative, the holders of loans made under the Credit Agreement and the holders of other Priority Lien Obligations will have, subject to the exceptions set forth below in clauses (1) through (4) and Section 6.6, and subject to the rights of the holders of Permitted Prior Liens, the exclusive right to enforce, collect or realize on any Collateral or exercise any other right or remedy with respect to the Collateral. Neither the Collateral Agent, nor the Trustee, nor holders of the Notes or other Parity Lien Obligations may take any action to enforce, collect or realize on

 

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any Collateral or exercise any other right or remedy with respect to the Collateral without the consent of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee and the holders of the Notes (together with any other holder of a Parity Lien Obligation) may, subject to the rights of the holders of other Permitted Prior Liens, direct the Collateral Agent:

 

(1) without any condition or restriction whatsoever, at any time after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations;

 

(2) as necessary to redeem any Collateral in a creditor’s redemption permitted by law or to deliver any notice or demand necessary to enforce (subject to the prior Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations) any right to claim, take or receive proceeds of Collateral remaining after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations in the event of foreclosure or other enforcement of any Permitted Prior Lien;

 

(3) as necessary to perfect or establish the priority (subject to Priority Liens and other Permitted Prior Liens) of the Parity Liens upon any Collateral; provided, that the Trustee and the holders of Parity Lien Obligations may not require the Collateral Agent to take any action to perfect any Collateral through possession or control; or

 

(4) as necessary to create, prove, preserve or protect (but not enforce, exercise any remedies in connection with, take possession of or otherwise interfere with, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the right of any Priority Lien Representative to enforce) the Parity Liens upon any Collateral.

 

(b) Subject to Section 6.6, until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, none of the holders the Notes or other of Parity Lien Obligations, the Collateral Agent or any Parity Lien Representative will:

 

(1) request judicial relief, in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or in any other court, that would hinder, delay, limit or prohibit the lawful exercise or enforcement of any right or remedy otherwise available to the holders of Priority Lien Obligations in respect of the Priority Liens or that would limit, invalidate, avoid or set aside any Priority Lien or subordinate the Priority Liens to the Parity Liens or grant the Parity Liens equal ranking to the Priority Liens;

 

(2) oppose or otherwise contest any motion for relief from the automatic stay or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement of Priority Liens made by any holder of Priority Lien Obligations or any Priority Lien Representative in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding;

 

(3) oppose or otherwise contest any lawful exercise by any holder of Priority Lien Obligations or any Priority Lien Representative of the right to credit bid Priority Lien Debt at any sale in foreclosure of Priority Liens;

 

(4) oppose or otherwise contest any other request for judicial relief made in any court by any holder of Priority Lien Obligations or any Priority Lien Representative relating to the lawful enforcement of any Priority Lien; or

 

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(5) challenge the validity, enforceability, perfection or priority of the Priority Liens.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, both before and during an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, the Collateral Agent, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations and the Parity Lien Representatives may take any actions and exercise any and all rights that would be available to a holder of unsecured claims, including, without limitation, the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding against the Borrower or any other Pledgor in accordance with applicable law; provided, that the Collateral Agent, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations and the Parity Lien Representatives may not take any of the actions prohibited by clauses (1) through (5) of this Section 3.2(b) or oppose or contest any order that it has agreed not to oppose or contest under Section 3.6.

 

(c) At any time prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and after (1) the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Borrower or any other Pledgor or (2) the Collateral Agent and each Parity Lien Representative have received written notice from any Priority Lien Representative at the direction of an Act of Required Debtholders stating that (A) any Series of Priority Lien Debt has become due and payable in full (whether at maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) or (B) the holders of Priority Liens securing one or more Series of Priority Lien Debt have become entitled under any Priority Lien Documents to enforce any or all of the Priority Liens by reason of a default under such Priority Lien Documents, no payment of money (or the equivalent of money) will be made from the proceeds of Collateral by the Borrower or any other Pledgor to the Collateral Agent, any Parity Lien Representative or any holder of Parity Lien Obligations (including, without limitation, payments and prepayments made for application to Parity Lien Obligations and all other payments and deposits made pursuant to any provision of any Parity Lien Document).

 

(d) Subject to Section 6.6, all proceeds of Collateral received by the Collateral Agent, any Parity Lien Representative or any holder of Parity Lien Obligations at any time prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations in violation of Section 3.2(c) will be held by the Collateral Agent, the applicable Parity Lien Representative, the holders of Notes and other holders of Parity Lien Obligations for the account of the holders of Priority Liens and promptly remitted to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent. The Parity Liens will remain attached to and enforceable against all proceeds so held or remitted. All proceeds of Collateral received by the Collateral Agent, any Parity Lien Representative or the holders of Parity Lien Obligations not in violation of this Agreement will be received by the Collateral Agent, such Parity Lien Representatives or such holder of Parity Lien Obligations free from the Priority Liens.

 

SECTION 3.3 Waiver of Right of Marshalling.

 

(a) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, holders of Parity Lien Obligations, each Parity Lien Representative and the Collateral Agent may not assert or enforce any right of marshalling accorded to a junior lienholder, as against the holders of Priority Liens (in their capacity as priority lienholders).

 

(b) Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Collateral Agent, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations and any Parity Lien Representative may assert their

 

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right under the UCC or otherwise to any proceeds remaining following a sale or other disposition of Collateral by, or on behalf of, the holders of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

SECTION 3.4 Discretion in Enforcement of Priority Liens.

 

(a) In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral, the Priority Lien Representatives may enforce (or refrain from enforcing) the provisions of the Priority Lien Documents and exercise (or refrain from exercising) remedies thereunder or any such rights and remedies, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in the exercise of their sole and exclusive discretion, including:

 

(1) the exercise or forebearance from exercise of all rights and remedies in respect of the Collateral and/or the Priority Lien Obligations;

 

(2) the enforcement or forebearance from enforcement of any Priority Lien in respect of the Collateral;

 

(3) the exercise or forebearance from exercise of rights and powers of a holder of shares of stock included in the Priority Lien Collateral to the extent provided in the Priority Lien Security Documents;

 

(4) the acceptance of the Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of the Priority Lien Obligations; and

 

(5) the exercise or forebearance from exercise of all rights and remedies of a secured lender under the UCC or any similar law of any applicable jurisdiction or in equity.

 

SECTION 3.5 Discretion in Enforcement of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(a) Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 3.4, the holders of Priority Lien Obligations and the Priority Lien Representatives may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Collateral Agent, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations or the Parity Lien Representatives, without incurring responsibility to the Collateral Agent, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations and the Parity Lien Representatives and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Agreement or the obligations hereunder of the Collateral Agent, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations and the Parity Lien Representatives, do any one or more of the following:

 

(1) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, the Priority Lien Obligations, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner the Priority Lien Obligations, or any instrument evidencing the Priority Lien Obligations or any agreement under which the Priority Lien Obligations are outstanding;

 

(2) release any Person or entity liable in any manner for the collection of the Priority Lien Obligations;

 

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(3) release the Priority Lien on any Collateral; and

 

(4) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against any Pledgor.

 

SECTION 3.6 Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings.

 

(a) If in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the holders of Priority Lien Obligations by an Act of Required Debtholders consent to any order:

 

(1) for use of cash collateral;

 

(2) approving a debtor-in-possession financing secured by a Lien that is senior to or on a parity with all Priority Liens upon any property of the estate in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding;

 

(3) granting any relief on account of Priority Lien Obligations as adequate protection (or its equivalent) for the benefit of the holders of Priority Lien Obligations in the Collateral subject to Priority Liens; or

 

(4) relating to a sale of assets of the Borrower or any other Pledgor that provides, to the extent the assets sold are to be free and clear of Liens, that all Priority Liens and Parity Liens will attach to the proceeds of the sale,

 

then, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations, in their capacity as holders of secured claims, and each Parity Lien Representative, will not oppose or otherwise contest the entry of such order, so long as none of the holders of Priority Lien Obligations or any Priority Lien Representative in any respect opposes or otherwise contests any request made by any holder of Parity Lien Obligations or a Parity Lien Representative for the grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the holders of Parity Lien Obligations, of a junior Lien upon any property on which a Lien is (or is to be) granted under such order to secure the Priority Lien Obligations, co-extensive in all respects with, but subordinated (as set forth in Section 3.1) to, such Lien and all Priority Liens on such property.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, both before and during an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, the Collateral Agent, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations and the Parity Lien Representatives may take any actions and exercise any and all rights that would otherwise be available to a holder of unsecured claims, including, without limitation, the commencement of Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings against the Borrower or any other Pledgor in accordance with applicable law; provided, that the Collateral Agent, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations and the Parity Lien Representatives may not take any of the actions prohibited under Section 3.2(b) or oppose or contest any order that it has agreed not to oppose or contest under clauses (1) through (4) of the preceding paragraph.

 

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(b) The Collateral Agent, the holders of Parity Lien Obligations or any Parity Lien Representative will not file or prosecute in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding any motion for adequate protection, motion for relief from the automatic stay (or any comparable request for relief) based upon their interest in the Collateral under the Parity Liens, except that:

 

(1) they may freely seek and obtain relief: (A) granting a junior Lien co-extensive in all respects with, but subordinated (as set forth in Section 3.1) to, all Liens granted in the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to, or for the benefit of, the holders of Priority Lien Obligations; and

 

(2) they may freely seek and obtain any relief upon a motion for adequate protection, motion for relief from the automatic stay (or any comparable relief), without any condition or restriction whatsoever, at any time after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

SECTION 3.7 Collateral Shared Equally and Ratably within Class. The parties to this Agreement agree that the payment and satisfaction of all of the Secured Obligations within each Class will be secured equally and ratably by the Liens established in favor of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, for the benefit of the Secured Parties belonging to such Class. It is understood and agreed that nothing in this Section 3.7 is intended to alter the priorities among Secured Parties belonging to different Classes as provided in Section 3.1.

 

SECTION 3.8 Actions to Perfect Security Interests. To the extent that the holders of Priority Liens do not require that an action be taken to perfect upon any Collateral, the holders of Parity Liens will not require such action to be taken.

 

SECTION 3.9 Amendment of Security Documents.

 

(a) No amendment or supplement to the provisions of any Security Document will be effective without the approval of the Collateral Agent acting as directed by the Required Parity Lien Debtholders, except that:

 

(1) any amendment or supplement that has the effect solely of adding or maintaining Collateral, securing additional Parity Lien Debt that was otherwise permitted by the terms of the Parity Lien Documents to be secured by the Collateral or preserving, perfecting or establishing the priority of the Parity Liens or the rights of the Collateral Agent therein will become effective when executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other applicable Pledgor party thereto and the Collateral Agent;

 

(2) no amendment or supplement that reduces, impairs or adversely affects the right of any holder of Parity Lien Obligations:

 

(A) to vote its outstanding Parity Lien Debt as to any matter described as subject to direction by the Required Parity Lien Debtholders (or amends the provisions of this clause (2) or the definition of “Required Parity Lien Debtholders”),

 

(B) to share in the order of application described under Sections 4.1 and 4.2 in the proceeds of enforcement of or realization on any Collateral, or

 

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(C) to require that Parity Liens be released only as set forth in the provisions described under Section 5.1,

 

will become effective without the consent of the requisite percentage or number of holders of each Series of Parity Lien Debt so affected under the applicable Parity Lien Document; and

 

(3) no amendment or supplement that imposes any obligation upon the Collateral Agent or any Parity Lien Representative or adversely affects the rights of the Collateral Agent or any Parity Lien Representative, respectively, in its individual capacity as such, will become effective without the consent of the Collateral Agent or such Parity Lien Representative, respectively.

 

Any amendment or supplement to the provisions of the Security Documents that releases Collateral will be effective only in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.4.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.9, but subject to clauses (2) and (3) above:

 

(1) any mortgage or other security document that secures Parity Lien Obligations (but not Priority Lien Obligations) may be amended or supplemented with the approval of the Collateral Agent acting as directed in writing by the Required Parity Lien Debtholders, unless such amendment or supplement would not be permitted under the terms of this Agreement or the other Priority Lien Documents; and

 

(2) any amendment or waiver of, or any consent under, any provision of this Agreement or any other Parity Lien Document that secures Priority Lien Obligations will apply automatically to any comparable provision of any comparable Parity Lien Document without the consent of or notice to any holder of Parity Lien Obligations and without any action by the Borrower or any other Pledgor or any holder of Notes or other Parity Lien Obligations.

 

ARTICLE 4. INTERCREDITOR RELATIONS

 

SECTION 4.1 Application of Proceeds in Distributions by the Priority Lien Collateral Agent.

 

(a) The Priority Lien Collateral Agent will apply the proceeds of any collection, sale, foreclosure or other realization upon any Collateral (subject to the rights of holders of Permitted Prior Liens) in the following order of application:

 

FIRST, to the payment of all amounts payable under the Priority Lien Documents on account of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent’s fees and any reasonable legal fees, costs and expenses or other liabilities of any kind incurred by the Priority Lien Collateral

 

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Agent or any co-trustee or agent of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent in connection with any Priority Lien Security Document;

 

SECOND, to the respective Priority Lien Representatives for application to the payment of all outstanding Priority Lien Debt and any other Priority Lien Obligations that are then due and payable in such order as may be provided in the Priority Lien Documents in an amount sufficient to pay in full in cash all outstanding Priority Lien Debt and all other Priority Lien Obligations that are then due and payable (including all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the Priority Lien Documents, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding, and including the discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (1) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (2) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of Liens under the terms of the applicable Priority Lien Document) of all outstanding letters of credit constituting Priority Lien Debt);

 

THIRD, to the payment of all amounts payable under the Parity Lien Documents on account of the Collateral Agent’s fees and any reasonable legal fees, costs and expenses or other liabilities of any kind incurred by the Collateral Agent or any co-trustee or agent of the Collateral Agent in connection with any Security Document;

 

FOURTH, to the respective Parity Lien Representatives for application to the payment of all outstanding Parity Lien Debt and any other Parity Lien Obligations that are then due and payable in such order as may be provided in the Parity Lien Documents in an amount sufficient to pay in full in cash all outstanding Parity Lien Debt and all other Parity Lien Obligations that are then due and payable (including, to the extent legally permitted, all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the Parity Lien Documents, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding, and including the discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (1) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (2) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of Liens under the terms of the applicable Parity Lien Document) of all outstanding letters of credit, if any, constituting Parity Lien Debt);

 

FIFTH, to the respective Priority Lien Representatives for application to the payment of all outstanding amounts owed to the holders of Priority Lien Obligations in excess of Priority Lien Cap; and

 

SIXTH, any surplus remaining after the payment in full in cash of the amounts described in the preceding clauses will be paid to the Borrower or the applicable Pledgor, as the case may be, its successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

(b) In connection with the application of proceeds pursuant to Section 4.1(a), except as otherwise directed by an Act of Required Debtholders, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent may sell any non-cash proceeds for cash prior to the application of the proceeds thereof.

 

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SECTION 4.2 Application of Proceeds in Distributions by the Collateral Agent.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4.1, following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Collateral Agent will apply the proceeds of any collection, sale, foreclosure or other realization upon any Collateral in the following order of application:

 

FIRST, to the payment of all amounts payable under the Parity Lien Documents on account of the Collateral Agent’s fees and any reasonable legal fees, costs and expenses or other liabilities of any kind incurred by the Collateral Agent or any co-trustee or agent of the Collateral Agent in connection with any Security Document;

 

SECOND, in accordance with clauses FOURTH and SIXTH of Section 4.1(a).

 

(b) If any Parity Lien Representative or any holder of a Parity Lien Obligation collects or receives any proceeds of such foreclosure, collection or other enforcement that should have been applied to the payment of the Priority Lien Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1(a) above, whether after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, such Parity Lien Representative or such holder of a Parity Lien Obligation, as the case may be, will forthwith deliver the same to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, for the account of the holders of the Priority Lien Obligations and other Obligations secured by a Permitted Prior Lien, to be applied in accordance with Section 4.1(a). Until so delivered, such proceeds will be held by that Parity Lien Representative or that holder of a Parity Lien Obligation, as the case may be, for the benefit of the holders of the Priority Lien Obligations and other Obligations secured by a Permitted Prior Lien.

 

(c) This section 4.2 is intended for the benefit of, and will be enforceable as a third party beneficiary by, each present and future holder of Secured Obligations, each present and future Secured Debt Representative, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent as holder of Priority Liens and the Collateral Agent as holder of Parity Liens. The Secured Debt Representative of each future Series of Secured Debt will be required to deliver a Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Debt Representative at the time of incurrence of such Series of Secured Debt.

 

(d) In connection with the application of proceeds pursuant to Section 4.2(a), except as otherwise directed by an Act of Required Debtholders, the Collateral Agent may sell any non-cash proceeds for cash prior to the application of the proceeds thereof.

 

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SECTION 4.3 Additional Secured Debt.

 

(a) The Borrower or other applicable Pledgor will be permitted to designate as an additional holder of Secured Obligations hereunder each Person who is, or who becomes, the registered holder of Parity Lien Debt or the registered holder of Priority Lien Debt incurred by the Borrower or such other Pledgor after the date of this Agreement in accordance with the terms of all applicable Secured Debt Documents. The Borrower or other applicable Pledgor may effect such designation by delivering to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent, with copies to each previously identified Secured Debt Representative, each of the following:

 

(1) an Officers’ Certificate stating that:

 

(A) the Borrower or such other Pledgor intends to incur additional Secured Debt (Additional Secured Debt) which will either be (i) Priority Lien Debt permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document to be secured by a Priority Lien equally and ratably with all previously existing and future Priority Lien Debt or (ii) Parity Lien Debt permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document to be secured with a Parity Lien equally and ratably with all previously existing and future Parity Lien Debt;

 

(2) evidence that the Borrower or such other Pledgor has duly authorized, executed (if applicable) and recorded (or caused to be recorded) in each appropriate governmental office all relevant filings and recordations to ensure that the Additional Secured Debt is secured by the Collateral in accordance with the Priority Lien Security Documents and the Security Documents; and

 

(3) a written notice specifying the name and address of the Secured Debt Representative for such series of Additional Secured Debt for purposes of Section 6.8.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement will be construed to allow the Borrower or any other Pledgor to incur additional Indebtedness unless otherwise permitted by the terms of all applicable Secured Debt Documents.

 

(b) A person to be designated as an additional holder of Secured Obligations hereunder must, prior to such designation,

 

(1) sign, through its designated Secured Debt Representative identified pursuant to Section 4.3(a), an Intercreditor Agreement Joinder; and

 

(2) deliver a Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation.

 

ARTICLE 5. OBLIGATIONS ENFORCEABLE BY THE BORROWER AND THE OTHER PLEDGORS

 

SECTION 5.1 Release of Liens on Collateral.

 

The Collateral Agent agrees for the benefit of the Borrower and the other Pledgors that if Collateral Agent at any time receives:

 

(1) an Officers’ Certificate stating that (A) the signing officer has read Article 5 of this Agreement and understands the provisions and the definitions relating hereto, (B) such officer has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not the conditions precedent in this Agreement and all other Secured Debt Documents, if any, relating to the release of the Collateral have been complied with, (C) in the opinion of such officer, such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with and (D) such officer has been

 

25


informed by the Priority Lien Representative that in its view such release is permitted by this Agreement and all other Secured Debt Documents; and

 

(2) the proposed instrument or instruments releasing such Lien as to such property in recordable form, if applicable;

 

then the Collateral Agent will execute (with such acknowledgements and/or notarizations as are required) and deliver such release to the Borrower or other applicable Pledgor on or before the later of (x) the date specified in such request for such release and (y) the fifth Business Day after the date of receipt of the items required by this Section 5.1 by the Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 5.2 [Intentionally Omitted].

 

SECTION 5.3 Collateral Agent not Required to Serve, File or Record. Subject to Section 5.4 hereof, the Collateral Agent is not required to serve, file, register or record any instrument releasing or subordinating their Liens on any Collateral to any third party; provided, however, that if the Borrower or any other Pledgor shall make a written demand for a termination statement under Section 9-513(c) of the UCC, the Collateral Agent shall comply with the written request of such Borrower or Pledgor to comply with the requirements of such UCC provision; provided, further, that the Collateral Agent must first confirm with the Secured Debt Representatives that the requirements of such UCC provisions have been satisfied.

 

SECTION 5.4 Release of Liens in Respect of Notes. The Collateral Agent’s Parity Lien will no longer secure the Notes outstanding under the Indenture or any other Obligations under the Indenture, and the right of the holders of the Notes and such Obligations to the benefits and proceeds of the Collateral Agent’s Parity Lien on the Collateral will terminate and be discharged:

 

(1) upon satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as set forth under Article 12 of the Indenture;

 

(2) upon a Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance (each as defined under the Indenture) of the Notes as set forth under Article 8 of the Indenture;

 

(3) upon payment in full and discharge of all Notes outstanding under the Indenture and all Obligations that are outstanding, due and payable under the Indenture at the time the Notes are paid in full and discharged;

 

(4) in whole or in part, with the consent of the holders of the requisite percentage of Notes in accordance with Article 9 of the Indenture;

 

(5) as to any Collateral that is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Borrower or any other Pledgor to a Person that is not (either before or after such sale, transfer or disposition) the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (as defined under the Indenture) of the Borrower in a transaction or other circumstance that complies with Section 4.10 of the Indenture, if any, and is permitted by all of the other Secured Debt Documents, at the time of such sale, transfer or other disposition or to the extent of the interest sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of; provided, that the Collateral Agent’s

 

26


Liens upon the Collateral will not be released if the sale or disposition is subject to the “Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” provisions of the Indenture;

 

(6) upon the release of less than all or substantially all of the Collateral, if consent to the release of all Priority Liens on such Collateral has been given by an Act of Required Debtholders; or

 

(7) upon the release of all or substantially all of the Collateral, if (A) consent to release of that Collateral has been given by the requisite percentage or number of holders of each Series of Secured Debt at the time outstanding as provided for in the applicable Secured Debt Documents and (B) the Borrower has delivered an Officers’ Certificate to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent certifying that any such necessary consents have been obtained;

 

provided, however, with respect to clauses (5), (6) and (7) of this Section, that the security interests on the applicable Collateral held by the Priority Lien Collateral Agent are also released.

 

ARTICLE 6. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 6.1 Amendment of this Agreement. Any amendment to this Agreement must be agreed by all parties hereto.

 

SECTION 6.2 Voting. In connection with any matter under this Agreement requiring a vote of holders of Secured Debt, each Series of Secured Debt will cast its votes in accordance with the Secured Debt Documents governing such Series of Secured Debt. The amount of Secured Debt to be voted by a Series of Secured Debt will equal (1) the aggregate principal amount of Secured Debt held by such Series of Secured Debt (including outstanding letters of credit whether or not then available or drawn), plus (2) other than in connection with an exercise of remedies, the aggregate unfunded commitments to extend credit which, when funded, would constitute Indebtedness of such Series of Secured Debt. Following and in accordance with the outcome of the applicable vote under its Secured Debt Documents, the Secured Debt Representative of each Series of Secured Debt will cast all of its votes as a block in respect of any vote under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 6.3 Further Assurances. Upon the reasonable request of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, Collateral Agent or any Secured Debt Representative at any time and from time to time, the Borrower and each of the other Pledgors will promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such security documents, instruments, certificates, notices and other documents, and take such other actions as may be reasonably required, or that the Priority Lien Collateral Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request, to create, perfect, protect, assure or enforce the Priority Liens and Parity Liens and the benefits intended to be conferred, in each case as contemplated by the Priority Lien Documents and the Parity Lien Documents, for the benefit of the holders of Priority Lien Obligations and Parity Lien Obligations.

 

27


SECTION 6.4 Bailee for Perfection. Solely for purposes of perfecting the Parity Liens of the Collateral Agent in any portion of the Collateral in the possession of the Priority Lien Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees) as part of the collateral securing the Priority Lien Obligations including, without limitation, any instruments, goods, negotiable documents, tangible chattel paper, certificated securities or money, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent and the Priority Lien Representatives acknowledge that the Priority Lien Collateral Agent also holds that property as bailee for the benefit of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of Parity Lien Obligations.

 

SECTION 6.5 Delivery of Collateral and Proceeds of Collateral. Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, deliver to (1) the Collateral Agent or (2) such other person as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, (a) any Collateral held by, or on behalf of, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent or any holder of Priority Lien Obligations, and (b) all proceeds of Collateral held by, or on behalf of, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent or any holder of Priority Lien Obligations, whether arising out of an action taken to enforce, collect or realize upon any Collateral or otherwise. Such Collateral and such proceeds will be delivered without recourse and without any representation or warranty whatsoever as to the enforceability, perfection, priority or sufficiency of any Lien securing or guarantee or other supporting obligation for any Priority Lien Debt or Parity Lien Debt, together with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

 

SECTION 6.6 Relative Rights. Nothing in the Note Documents will:

 

(1) impair, as Borrower and the holders of the Notes, the obligation of the Borrower to pay principal of, premium and interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes in accordance with their terms or any other obligation of the Borrower or any other Pledgor;

 

(2) affect the relative rights of holders of Notes as against any other creditors of the Borrower or any other Pledgor (other than holders of Priority Liens, Permitted Prior Liens or other Parity Liens);

 

(3) restrict the right of any holder of Notes to sue for payments that are then due and owing (but not enforce any judgment in respect thereof against any Collateral to the extent specifically prohibited by the provisions of Section 3.2, Section 3.3 or Section 3.6);

 

(4) restrict or prevent any holder of Notes or other Parity Lien Obligations, the collateral agent or any Parity Lien Representative from exercising any of its rights or remedies upon a Default (as defined in Section 1.01 of the Indenture) or Event of Default (as defined in Section 1.01 of the Indenture) not specifically restricted or prohibited by Section 3.2, Section 3.3 or Section 3.6; or

 

(5) restrict or prevent any holder of Notes or other Parity Lien Obligations, the collateral agent or any Parity Lien Representative from taking any lawful action in an

 

28


insolvency or liquidation proceeding not specifically restricted or prohibited by Section 3.2, Section 3.3 or Section 3.6.

 

SECTION 6.7 Successors and Assigns. Neither the Borrower nor any other Pledgor may delegate any of its duties or assign any of its rights hereunder, and any attempted delegation or assignment of any such duties or rights will be null and void. All obligations of the Borrower and the other Pledgors hereunder will inure to the sole and exclusive benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Secured Debt Representative and each present and future holder of Secured Obligations, each of whom will be entitled to enforce this Agreement as a third-party beneficiary hereof, and all of their respective successors and assigns.

 

SECTION 6.8 Delay and Waiver. No failure to exercise, no course of dealing with respect to the exercise of, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy arising under this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents or Priority Lien Security Documents will impair any such right, power or remedy or operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy will preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The remedies herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

 

SECTION 6.9 Notices. Any communications, including notices and instructions, between the parties hereto or notices provided herein to be given may be given to the following addresses:

 

If to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent:    Bank of America, N.A.
     40 Broad Street
     Boston, Massachusetts 02109
     Attention: Kathleen Dimock
     Fax: (617) 434-6685)
     with a copy to:
     Riemer & Braunstein, LLP
     Three Center Plaza
     Boston, Massachusetts 02108
     Attention: Kevin J. Simard, Esquire
     Fax: (617) 880-3456
If to the Collateral Agent:    Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
     Corporate Trust Services
     213 Court Street, Suite 703
     Middletown, CT 06457
     Facsimile No.: (860) 704-6219
     Attention: Joseph P. O’Donnell

 

29


If to the Borrower or any other Pledgor:    Brookstone, Inc.
     One Innovation Way
     Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054
     Facsimile No.: (603) 577-8011
     Attention: General Counsel
     with a copy to:
     Kaye Scholer LLP
     425 Park Avenue
     New York, New York 10022
     Facsimile No.: (212) 836-8689
     Attention: Stephen C. Koval
If to the Credit Agreement Agent:    Bank of America, N.A.
     40 Broad Street
     Boston, Massachusetts 02109
     Attention: Kathleen Dimock
     Fax: (617) 434-6685)
     with a copy to
     Riemer & Braunstein, LLP
     Three Center Plaza
     Boston, Massachusetts 02108
     Attention: Kevin J. Simard, Esquire
     Fax: (617) 880-3456
If to the Trustee:    Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
     Corporate Trust Services
     213 Court Street, Suite 703
     Middletown, CT 06457
     Facsimile No.: (860) 704-6219
     Attention: Joseph P. O’Donnell

 

and if to any other Secured Debt Representative, to such address as it may specify by written notice to the parties named above.

 

All notices and communications will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the relevant address set forth above or, as to holders of Secured Debt, its address shown on the register kept by the office or agency where the relevant Secured Debt may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange. To the extent applicable, any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in § 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, to the extent required thereunder. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a holder of Secured Debt or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders of Secured Debt.

 

30


If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

SECTION 6.10 Notice Following Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations. Promptly following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations with respect to one or more Series of Priority Lien Debt, each Priority Lien Representative with respect to each applicable Series of Priority Lien Debt that is so discharged will provide written notice of such Discharge to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent and to each other Secured Debt Representative.

 

SECTION 6.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement states the complete agreement of the parties relating to the matters set forth herein and supersedes all oral negotiations and prior writings in respect of such undertaking. In the event of any conflict between the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement and any such agreement, document or instrument or any other Security Document or Priority Lien Security Document, the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

SECTION 6.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in all other respects and of all remaining provisions, and of such provision in all other jurisdictions, will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 6.13 Headings. Section headings herein have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Agreement and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 6.14 Obligations Secured. All obligations of the Pledgors set forth in or arising under this Agreement will be Secured Obligations. The Priority Lien Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens and the Parity Lien Obligations are secured by the Parity Liens.

 

SECTION 6.15 Governing Law. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

SECTION 6.16 Consent to Jurisdiction. All judicial proceedings brought against any party hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents or Priority Lien Security Documents may be brought in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction in the State, County and City of New York. By executing and delivering this Agreement, each Pledgor, for itself and in connection with its properties, irrevocably:

 

(1) accepts generally and unconditionally the nonexclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts;

 

(2) waives any defense of forum non conveniens;

 

31


(3) agrees that service of all process in any such proceeding in any such court may be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to such party at its address provided in accordance with Section 6.8;

 

(4) agrees that service as provided in clause (3) above is sufficient to confer personal jurisdiction over such party in any such proceeding in any such court and otherwise constitutes effective and binding service in every respect; and

 

(5) agrees each party hereto retains the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to bring proceedings against any party in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 6.17 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party to this Agreement waives its rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising under this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents or Priority Lien Security Documents or any dealings between them relating to the subject matter of this Agreement or the intents and purposes of the other Security Documents or Priority Lien Security Documents. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement and the other Security Documents and Priority Lien Security Documents, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other common law and statutory claims. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that this waiver is a material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that each party hereto has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each party hereto will continue to rely on this waiver in its related future dealings. Each party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. This waiver is irrevocable, meaning that it may not be modified either orally or in writing (other than by a mutual written waiver specifically referring to this Section 6.16 and executed by each of the parties hereto), and this waiver will apply to any subsequent amendments, renewals, supplements or modifications of or to this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents or Priority Lien Security Documents or to any other documents or agreements relating thereto. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

 

SECTION 6.18 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by facsimile), each of which when so executed and delivered will be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together will constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

SECTION 6.19 Effectiveness. This Agreement will become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by each party of written notification of such execution and written or telephonic authorization of delivery thereof.

 

SECTION 6.20 Additional Pledgors. The Borrower will cause each Person that becomes a Pledgor or is required by any Secured Debt Document to become a party to this Agreement to become a party to this Agreement, for all purposes of this Agreement, by causing such Person to execute and deliver to the parties hereto an Intercreditor Agreement Joinder, whereupon such Person will be bound by the terms hereof to the same extent as if it had executed

 

32


and delivered this Agreement as of the date hereof. The Borrower shall promptly provide each Secured Debt Representative with a copy of each Intercreditor Agreement Joinder executed and delivered pursuant to this Section 6.19.

 

SECTION 6.21 Continuing Nature of this Agreement. This Agreement, including the subordination provisions hereof, will be reinstated if at any time any payment or distribution in respect of any of the Priority Lien Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise by any holder of Priority Lien Obligations or Priority Lien Representative or any representative of any such party (whether by demand, settlement, litigation or otherwise). In the event that all or any part of a payment or distribution made with respect to the Priority Lien Obligations is recovered from any holder of Priority Lien Obligations or any Priority Lien Representative in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, such payment or distribution received by any holder of Parity Lien Obligations or Parity Lien Representative with respect to the Parity Lien Obligations from the proceeds of any Collateral or any title insurance policy required by any real property mortgage at any time after the date of the payment or distribution that is so recovered, whether pursuant to a right of subrogation or otherwise, that Parity Lien Representative or that holder of a Parity Lien Obligation, as the case may be, will forthwith deliver the same to the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, for the account of the holders of the Priority Lien Obligations and other Obligations secured by a Permitted Prior Lien, to be applied in accordance with Sections 4.1 and 4.2. Until so delivered, such proceeds will be held by that Parity Lien Representative or that holder of a Parity Lien Obligation, as the case may be, for the benefit of the holders of the Priority Lien Obligations and other Obligations secured by a Permitted Prior Lien.

 

SECTION 6.22 Insolvency. This Agreement will be applicable both before and after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding by or against any Pledgor. The relative rights, as provided for in this Agreement, will continue after the commencement of any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding on the same basis as prior to the date of the commencement of any such case, as provided in this Agreement.

 

SECTION 6.23 Rights and Immunities of Secured Debt Representatives. The Credit Agreement Agent will be entitled to all of the rights, protections, immunities and indemnities set forth in the Credit Agreement, the Trustee will be entitled to all of the rights, protections, immunities and indemnities set forth in the Indenture and any future Secured Debt Representative will be entitled to all of the rights, protections, immunities and indemnities set forth in the credit agreement, indenture or other agreement governing the applicable Secured Debt with respect to which such Person will act as representative, in each case as if specifically set forth herein. In no event will any Secured Debt Representative be liable for any act or omission on the part of the Pledgors, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Intercreditor Agreement to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

BROOKSTONE, INC.

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

BROOKSTONE INTERNATIONAL

HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

BROOKSTONE STORES, INC.

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

 

S-1


BROOKSTONE RETAIL PUERTO RICO, INC.

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

BROOKSTONE HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

BROOKSTONE PROPERTIES, INC.

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

ADVANCED AUDIO CONCEPTS, LIMITED

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

GARDENERS EDEN, INC.

By:

  /s/    PHILIP W. ROIZIN        

Name:

  Philip W. Roizin

Title:

  Executive Vice President

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Credit Agreement Agent

By:

  /s/    DANIEL PLATT        

Name:

  Daniel Platt

Title:

  Director

 

S-2


WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Trustee under the Indenture

By:

  /s/    JOSEPH P. O’DONNELL        

Name:

  Joseph P. O’Donnell

Title:

  Vice President

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Priority Lien Collateral Agent

By:

  /s/    DANIEL PLATT        

Name:

  Daniel Platt

Title:

  Director

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

By:

  /s/    JOSEPH P. O’DONNELL        

Name:

  Joseph P. O’Donnell

Title:

  Vice President

 

S-3


EXHIBIT A

to Intercreditor Agreement

 

[FORM OF]

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT JOINDER

 

The undersigned,                             , a                             , hereby agrees to become party as [a Pledgor] [a Parity Lien Representative] [a Priority Lien Representative] under the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of                 , 20     (the “Intercreditor Agreement”) among [Borrower], the Pledgors from time to time party thereto, [Credit Agreement Agent], as Credit Agreement Agent under the Credit Agreement (as defined therein), [Indenture Trustee], as Trustee under the Indenture (as defined therein), [Priority Lien Collateral Agent], as Priority Lien Collateral Agent, and [Collateral Agent], as Collateral Agent, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had executed and delivered the Intercreditor Agreement as of the date thereof.

 

The provisions of Article 6 of the Intercreditor Agreement will apply with like effect to this Joinder.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Intercreditor Agreement Joinder to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of                 , 20    .

 

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By:

   

Name:

   

Title: